ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF LUMPY SKIN DISEASE VIRUS FROM OUTBREAK CASES IN GUTO GIDA AND WAYU TUKA DISTRICTS OF EAST WALLAGA ZONE, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

ADVISOR: DEREJE ABERA (DVM, MSc, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY) Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is highly contagious and widespread viral disease that poses devastating economic losses to livestock industry in Ethiopia due to decreased productivity and high morbidity rate. Despite its significant effect, molecular data on Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in Western Ethiopia, particularly in Guto Gida and Wayu Tuka districts, remain limited. Thus, Outbreak based study was carried out from November 2024 to May 2025 in Guto Gida and Wayu Tuka districts of East Wallaga Zone to isolate and molecularly detect LSDV from outbreak cases in clinically affected cattle. Purposive sampling was conducted on 20 cattle exhibiting clinical signs (fever, flattened skin nodules, lymphadenopathy) suggesting LSD. Skin biopsies were collected and processed for DNA extraction using a QIAGEN kit, followed by the detection of LSDV by using real time PCR Kit. Virus isolation was performed by inoculating PCR-positive samples onto Vero cells and monitored for cytopathic effects (CPE). Data were analyzed using SPSS (v22) and chi-square test then used to assess the association of putative risk factors with occurrence of the virus. Out of 20 samples collected from the affected cattle, 95% (19/20) of samples were tested positive for LSDV using real time PCR diagnostic method. The higher detection rates (100%) were recorded in Guto Gida district. However, no significant associations (p &gt; 0.05) were found generally between the two districts as well as age, sex, and breed categories. Virus isolation confirmed that LSDV has characteristic CPE (cell rounding, monolayer destruction) were observed in all PCR-positive samples. The present study generally provides an insight on the presence of LSDV in the study area and hence further epidemiological investigation complemented with the genetic characterization of the virus should be carried out in the area and regular vaccination strategy are also utmost important for effective control.<br> Keywords: Ethiopia, Isolation, Guto Gida, Lumpy skin disease virus, Molecular detection, Outbreak, Wayu Tuka